In 2021, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart secured his first National Championship with the Bulldogs. In 2024, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day secured his first National Championship with the Buckeyes.
Why are you reading about those accomplishments? Well, because they both happened in each coach's sixth year with their program.
Which Power Conference head coach is currently staring down the barrel of his sixth year with a program? Well, that would be none other than Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian, of course.
The expectation and the standard at the University of Texas are winning. It's more specifically winning National Championships, something Sarkisian has not been able to do since taking over the program in 2021.
However, the stars are all aligning for that College Football Playoff National Championship trophy to finally find its way to the 40 Acres. That's due in large part to the wealth of talent that Sarkisian has secured for the Longhorns.
On3 recently released its preseason All-American team, and out of the 26 players on the list, four of them will be wearing burnt orange this fall.
Texas Longhorns dominate On3's Preseason All-American team
While arguably more Longhorns could have made the lists, like quarterback Arch Manning and wide receiver Cam Coleman, Texas players already outnumbered any other team on the list (Ole Miss had the second most with three players).
- Trevor Goosby, offensive tackle
- Colin Simmons, edge
- Rasheem Biles, linebacker
- Ryan Niblett, returner
NEW: 2026 On3 Preseason All-America College Football Team🔥
— On3 (@On3) August 10, 2026
(via @Clowfb)https://t.co/I6VAGVMGcS pic.twitter.com/1BkRiPma85
That wealth of talent lines Texas up to be the best team in the nation, even as many doubters continue to place teams like Ohio State and Oregon ahead of the Horns.
Not to mention the fact that Sarkisian built his support staff arsenal as well, hiring dynamic play callers and assistants like defensive coordinator Will Muschamp.
Since taking over in Austin, Sarkisian has done a good job with the program. He has brought Texas back into the national conversation every season, improving the Horns from a horrendous 5-7 record in his first year to a team that has two College Football Playoff appearances and three postseason wins.
However, that's not quite good enough.
"The pride and winning tradition of the University of Texas will not be entrusted to the weak or the timid," was a chant that echoed from the Horns' locker room well over two decades ago, after all.
It is time. No, actually, it is well past time for that pride and winning tradition to be put on full display.
The roster? Arguably the best in the country. The NIL war chest? The biggest in the nation. The coaching staff? Filled to the brim with winners. The schedule? Strong enough to be in the CFP before a snap is played.
Every. Single. Box has been checked this offseason. Sarkisian and the Longhorns are out of excuses to not win it all. It is time for Texas, at the very least, to return to the National Championship game.
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